Efficacy of ofloxacin and other otic preparations for otitis externa.

Author(s): Ruben RJ

Affiliation(s): Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467-2401, USA. r.j.ruben@worldnet.att.net

Publication date & source: 2001-01, Pediatr Infect Dis J., 20(1):108-10

Publication type: Review

Ofloxacin otic is as effective in curing otitis externa in children (<12 years of age) as is the preparation combining polymyxin/neomycin plus hydrocortisone and as ciprofloxacin otic. Furthermore ofloxacin otic, as it requires less frequent dosing, is likely to encourage greater patient adherence and consequently to achieve a better cure rate than both of these treatment options. Because a number of cases of otitis externa are complicated by an undiagnosed tympanic membrane perforation, the lack of ototoxicity associated with ofloxacin otic makes it a particularly safe option for use in these patients.